Qualcomm Announces Wireless Charging for Metal Case Devices

Qualcomm Becomes First Company to Enable Wireless Charging for Mobile Devices with Metal Cases

This newly invented wireless charging technology for devices by Qualcomm is known as WiPower and is compliant with the Rezenance standard. Wireless charging has been around for a while and was first introduced into the mainstream by Nokia, with the likes of Samsung soon following suit. But one drawback to this tech was that it required a plastic case to work if it was embedded in the device, while many customers prefer metal cases. Hence, Qualcomm brought a solution for such for mobile phone users.

Steve Pazol, GM of Wireless Charging at Qualcomm said:

“Building a wireless charging solution into devices with metal exteriors is a significant step for moving the entire industry forward. Today, more device manufacturers are choosing to utilize metal alloys in their product designs to provide greater structural support and, of course, aesthetics. QTIs engineering advancement eliminates a major obstacle facing wireless power and opens up the continued adoption of this desirable feature to a much wider range of consumer electronics and use cases.”

The BRUSA announcement is important to Qualcomm as much for symbolic as practical reasons, indicating the company’s significance in the automotive sector, where mobile technology in general it taking on increasing importance.

“Wireless charging will win, it will give e-mobility a big boost, it will set new, sustainable technology apart from old gasoline-based technology. We are determined to make wireless charging a reality. We already offer technically sound and commercially viable systems to the market and we are excited about the potential of wireless charging.”

Said Josef Brusa, CEO of BRUSA.

Additionally the company has announced a new patent license agreement with Swiss automotive component company BRUSA covering its Halo wireless electric vehicle charging (WEVC) technology.